DNA mimicry Ocr protein, a well-studied T7 phage protein that inhibits host restriction enzymes, can also inhibit host transcription through competing with sigma factors in binding to RNA polymerase.
An unbiased mutational screen decodes the molecular basis of phage receptor interactions, identifies key functional regions determining activity and host range, and demonstrates the potential for engineering therapeutic phages.
Cryo electron microscopy and structure-based mutagenesis reveal that the bacteriophage BPP-1 contains two of the three major recognized viral folds, one of which exhibits a new topology.
Mathematical modelling suggests that the evolution of communication between bacterial viruses requires repeated outbreak events, and the model then predicts typical communication strategies.
The structure and composition of the elusive vertex complex in Tectiviridae is finally revealed and the newly reported protein conformations help to maintain the capsid architecture.
A multi-layered and conserved cell cycle mechanism prevents capsulation, long known as a bacterial virulence determinant, in G1-phase and concurrently licenses bacteriophage-mediated genetic exchange prior to entry into S-phase.
Unlike other similar enzymes, the antimicrobial enzyme PlyC can interact with and translocate eukaryotic membranes, and then lyse and kill intracellular bacteria.
A continuum of genome relationships is discovered through comparative genomics of 627 sequenced mycobacteriophages isolated and characterized in an integrated research/education initiative.
